Coconut Pound Cake

Visual learner? Watch me make this coconut pound cake from start to finish!

Have you been in a holiday baking mood lately? I think I’m all baked out from all the marathon baking that took place during the beginning of quarantine. However, there is no way I’m going to let the holidays roll by without making at least a few festive treats! 

I made red velvet snowball cookies and chocolate peppermint brownie cookies on The Today Show last week, so we might as well continue decking out the holiday dessert table! 

Today I’ve got this pretty, fluffy, tender beauty that reminds me of snowy days, heavenly Coconut Pound Cake! This pound cake looks so wintry and is perfect for the holidays, don’t you think?!

This cake is a favorite around here, and I can officially add this to the list of coconut desserts my husband will actually eat .  It has a buttery flavor with just the right amount of coconut to not be overwhelming. A little coconut can go a long way, and this one strikes such an outstanding balance.

The coconut glaze and shredded coconut topping bring it all together! Feel free to toast the coconut if you wish!

How to Make The BEST Coconut Pound Cake

1. Cream the butter and sugar on low speed JUST until creamy. Over-creaming and using a high speed can lead to those gluey streaks in your pound cake. 
2. As with most pound cakes, the flavor intensifies the next day!
3. Don’t skip the glaze and toppings! The key to a delicious coconut pound cake is to use layers of coconut flavor. This pound cake uses pure coconut extract, coconut milk, and shredded coconut to lend the best delicate coconut flavor.

How To Store

Store the finished pound cake in plastic wrap or slice, then individually wrap the pieces in plastic wrap. Store wrapped cake in an airtight container.

Happy Holidays!!!

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3.8 from 134 votes

Homemade Coconut Pound Cake

Heavenly coconut pound cake made from scratch with simple ingredients and a coconut glaze!

Course cake, Dessert, pound cake

Cuisine American, southern

Keyword coconut, glaze, pound cake

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

POUND CAKE

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1½ sticks)
• 3 eggs room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon pure coconut extract
• 1/2 cup canned coconut milk unsweetened
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes

GLAZE

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• salt pinch
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup shredded coconut flakes

Instructions

• Heat oven to 325 F. Grease and flour a 9 x5 loaf pan. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In another large bowl, cream together sugar and butter on low speed until well combined.
• Mix in eggs one at a time.
• Mix in vanilla extract and coconut extract. (see note)
• Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the coconut milk and whole milk.
• Mix until batter is fluffy.
• Fold in shredded coconut flakes.
• Pour batter into prepare pan and give the pan a shake to even out the batter.
• Bake for 1 hour and 15-20 minutes. Check on it at the 60 minute mark and cover with aluminum foil if it's getting too dark. Continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumb clinging to it. (see note on baking time updated adjustment)
• Place on a cooling rack to cool (remember cake will continue cooking as it cools)
• Once pan has cooled remove cake from pan and allow to finish cooling completely on cooling rack.
• While cake is cooling make the glaze by combing all glaze ingredients in a bowl until silky.
• Pour half the glaze over cooled cake and then top with coconut flakes.
• Once glaze has hardened, drizzle on the remaining glaze and allow to harden.
• Slice and serve.
• Store cake wrapped in plastic wrap in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

EXTRACTS: Extracts strength vary greatly! I used a pretty potent pure coconut extract. You may need to add more coconut extract if your brand is on the lighter side.

BAKING TIME CORRECTION- Update: Whoops!!! The video says 60-65 minutes, however the correct baking time should be  (1 hour and 15-20 minutes). However, do check on it at the 60 minute mark and cover with foil if you feel it is getting too dark and continue baking until the center is set.

Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook or tag #divascancook!

Craving more coconut? Try this!

Coconut Cream Pie